Luke 7

The Faith of the Centurion

1 After Jesus finished speaking all this to the people, He went into Capernaum.

2 A centurion there had a servant he valued highly, but the servant was sick and about to die.

3 When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to Him, asking Him to come heal his servant.

4 They came to Jesus and urged Him, “He deserves this.

5 He loves our people and even built our synagogue.”

6 So Jesus went with them. When He was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, I am not worthy for You to come under my roof.

7 That is why I did not even come myself. Just say the word, and my servant will be healed.

8 I am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; to my servant, ‘Do this?’ and he does it.”

9 When Jesus heard this, He was amazed. He turned to the crowd and said, “I am telling you, I have not found faith like this in all Israel.”

10 When those who were sent went back to the house, they found the servant healed.

Jesus Raises a Widow’s Son

11 Soon after, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and His disciples and a large crowd went with Him.

12 As He got close to the town gate, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the town was with her.

13 When the Lord saw her, His heart went out to her. He said, “Do not cry.”

14 Then He stepped forward and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stopped. He said, “Young man, I am telling you, get up.”

15 The dead man sat up and started speaking, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.

16 Everyone was filled with awe and gave glory to God, saying, “A great prophet has risen among us,” and “God has come to help His people.”

17 This news about Him spread through all Judea and the surrounding region.

Jesus and John the Baptist

18 John’s disciples told him about all these things.

19 So John called two of them and sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are You the One who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

20 When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to You asking, ‘Are You the One who is to come, or should we expect another?’”

21 At that very time, Jesus healed many people from sickness, diseases, and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind.

22 So He answered them, “Go back and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are made clean, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.

23 Blessed is anyone who does not fall away because of Me.”

24 After John’s messengers left, Jesus started speaking to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see, A reed shaken by the wind,

25 What did you go out to see, A man dressed in soft clothes, Those who wear fine clothes and live in luxury are in kings’ palaces.

26 So what did you go out to see, A prophet, Yes, I am telling you, and more than a prophet.

27 This is the one it is written about: ‘I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way before You.’

28 I am telling you, among those born of women, there is no one greater than John, but even the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

29 All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard this, acknowledged God’s justice, because they had been baptized with John’s baptism.

30 But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they refused John’s baptism.

31 “So what can I compare the people of this generation to, What are they like,

32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace, calling out to each other: ‘We played music for you, and you did not dance; we sang a sad song, and you did not cry.’

33 John the Baptist came not eating bread or drinking wine, and you said, ‘He has a demon.’

34 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at Him, a glutton and a drunk, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’

35 But wisdom is proven right by all her children.”

A Sinful Woman Forgiven

36 One of the Pharisees invited Jesus to eat with him. He went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table.

37 A woman in that town, known for her sinful life, heard Jesus was there. She brought an alabaster jar of perfume

38 and stood behind Him at His feet, crying. Her tears fell on His feet, and she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and poured perfume on them.

39 When the Pharisee who invited Him saw this, he thought to himself, “If this man were really a prophet, He would know what kind of woman is touching Him.”

40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have got something to say to you.” He said, “Say it, Teacher.”

41 “Two people owed money to a lender, one owed a large amount, the other a small amount.

42 Neither could pay it back, so he canceled both debts. Which one will love him more?”

43 Simon answered, “I guess the one who had the bigger debt canceled.” Jesus said, “You are right.”

44 Then He turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman, I came into your house, you did not give Me water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.

45 You did not greet Me with a kiss, but from the time I came in, she has not stopped kissing My feet.

46 You did not put oil on My head, but she has poured perfume on My feet.

47 Because of this, I am telling you, her many sins have been forgiven, that is why she loved much. But whoever is forgiven little, loves little.”

48 Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

49 The others at the table started thinking, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

50 But Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”